German tennis legend and WTA Elite Trophy ambassador Steffi Graf loves Zhuhai with its long coastline, green mountains, and clear water. Speaking at a press conference at the Hengqin International Tennis Center on Nov 6, Graf related how she could sense vitality and glamour while walking by the sea every morning.

What’s more, she can never forget her playful visit to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, a Y-shaped structure connecting Hong Kong, Macao, and the Chinese mainland that will be the longest cross-sea bridge in the world when it opens in about a year.

Steffie Graf salutes fans.

It was so special to play tennis on the world's longest cross-sea bridge -- an unforgettable lifetime memory, she said.

Graf accepted the invitation to WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai without hesitation, as the outstanding event would bring Chinese youths closer to tennis. During this, her first time in Zhuhai, she hoped to meet youngsters and promote tennis among them. "Tennis in China looks bright," she said.

Graf spent a busy weekend giving a lecture, coaching teenage tennis players at a charity workshop, making presentations, and attending a media and public exchange session. 

The former multiple Wimbledon champion said that she was impressed by the well-organized event and top-grade facilities such as the locker room, gym, and central tennis court. She was also impressed by a Chinese-English pamphlet for both passengers and drivers on the seatback of the bus, which showed high consideration by the organizer, she said.

Steffie Graf expresses affection for Zhuhai. [Photos by Yang Jia /Zhuhai Daily]